Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Hope’s POV

My wrist was seized before I could even turn around.

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A gasp escaped my lips as I was yanked deeper into the hallway, my sneakers squeaking against the floor. Connor’s hand wrapped tightly around my arm, warm and familiar in the worst possible way. The heat of his touch burned straight through my skin like a cruel memory I never asked to keep.

He stopped beside the locker room corridor, away from prying eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Connor hissed.

He dragged a hand through his dark hair, his expression tight with stress.

“Did you come here for me?” His brows furrowed. “Really, Hope? You seriously chose today of all days? Right after the vacation?”

I let out a soft sigh. I suddenly realized I wasn’t wearing my badge. I’d forgotten to wear it in my rush to get here, and the security guard let me pass because he already recognized me.

I slowly looked up at the man I once thought I’d spend forever with. And somehow, standing this close to him again only made the betrayal feel fresh all over again.

“Leave now,” Connor muttered with a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ll stop by our place later and get the rest of my stuff.”

“I know I hurt you,” he continued, lowering his voice, “but you can’t show up at my workplace and make a scene.”

He glanced around nervously, like he was terrified someone might see us together.

“What if Delaney sees?” he whispered harshly. “Hell, what if the guys see? It’s my first real chance playing for the Glaciers. Don’t ruin this for me.”

Ruin this for him?

I crossed my arms stubbornly over my chest and lifted my chin, refusing to let him look down on me.

“I work here, Connor.”

His expression didn’t change.

“I’m the PT for the team.”

For exactly three seconds, he just stared at me. Then, a small laugh escaped his lips. The sound echoed in the hallway, disbelieving.

“You?” He shook his head slowly. “The new Physical Therapist?”

I felt irritation crawl under my skin.

“Hope, that’s probably the worst excuse you could’ve come up with. You could’ve just admitted you wanted to see me.”

My jaw tightened.

“You don’t believe me?” I asked coldly. “I am the PT, Connor. Whether you believe it or not. Whether you like it or not.”

11:43 Wed, Jul 15

Chapter 16

But the disbelief remained in his eyes.

“It’s okay, Hope,” he said softly, almost pityingly.

i

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“You don’t have experience working as a PT. You’ve spent the last year juggling random jobs. You even did so while studying.”

“So don’t take it personally if I can’t believe you work for the Glaciers.” His lips twitched faintly. “They only hire the best.”

I stared at him for a second too long. So, that was what he truly thought of me. Not talented enough. Not good enough. No worthy enough.

Part of me wanted to shove my contract in his face. To tell him exactly how hard I worked to earn this position. To remind him that while he was busy cheating on me with a social media princess, I was pulling all-nighters to graduate while feeding,

his ass.

But before I could say a word, another nightmare entered the hallway.

“You disappeared on me, baby.”

Delaney Rhodes.

The sugary scent of her perfume hit me before she even reached us. She walked toward Connor in tiny confident strides, chewing gum loudly. Her bright orange bodysuit clung to every curve, matching the Glaciers’ team colors perfectly. Her blonde hair was tied into high pigtails, which was a huge contrast to her blatant cleavage.

She noticed me, and I saw the surprise in her face turn into recognition, disdain, and finally, wounded innocence.

I already knew exactly how this would go.

“You’re here with Hope,” she said slowly, eyes flicking between us. “Hope, right?”

Her smile widened sweetly.

“I’m sorry. I’m not totally sure about your name. Connor never really talked about you.”

The insult was so deliberate it almost impressed me. I ignored her completely and turned back to Connor.

“I need to be in the rehab room by-” I checked my watch. “Right now.”

I took a step back.

“If you have something else to say, say it later. In fact, just keep it to yourself.”

I tried to walk away, but Delaney grabbed my shoulder before I could. Her nails dug sharply into my skin, and pain shot through my arm. I jerked away instantly and shoved her wrist off me.

“What is your problem?” I snapped.

She inhaled, eyes widening as though I had attacked her first.

“I don’t know how you got in here,” she said slowly, “but strangers aren’t allowed backstage. Especially not before an important game.”

Then, right in front of me, she pulled a walkie-talkie from her designer bag.

My eyes widened.

No way.

11:43 Wed, Jul 15 AMM

Chapter 16

“Security,” she said into the device smoothly. “We have an intruder in the west hallway.”

My mouth fell open.

Was this some kind of sick joke?

Seriously?

On my first day here, Levi threatened to call security on me. And now these two were doing it again.

“I told you I work here!” I burst out. I’m the new PT! How many times do I have to say it?”

Delaney tilted her head innocently.

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